FOIA: Canwell, Albert F. HQ 1

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Form No. 1

THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

FILE no. 100-11729

jo

REPORT MADE

'SBATTLf

ALFRED
CARL D
J0H1\ T Mi

SYNOPSIS

DATE WHEN MADE

1/28/43

PERIOD FOR
WHICH MADE

11/3,4,23/42

REPORT MADE BY

JOHN C. DOIC-

IIJ

CHARACTER OF CASE

INTERNAL SECURITY (G)
CUSTODIAL DETENTION

Subjects, three brothers, allegedly past' associates
of Dr. HARM HENRY SCEEOMER, alleged pro-^Nazi profes-
sor, Gonzaga University , Spokane, Y/ash. All subjects
born U.S. and allegedly formerly connected with. Je-
hovah's Witnesses, ALFRED F. CAlffimi now Deputy
Sheriff , Spokane , shortly prior to entry of U. S«
into war, stated that German short-wave broadcasts
were only news that could be believed*

- C -

Details :

This investigation was J conducted as the result of information d% reaped
In the case entitled "HARM FIEKRl|sCHL0L'5P^ with aliases; INTERNAL SECURITY (G^
CUSTODIAL DETENTION", Seattle file number 100-1513 • It is noted that SCfflGHmj
a former professor at Gonzaga University, Spokane, 'Washington, is reliably re-
ported to have been a member of the German-American Bund; to havel been the leader
of the Spokane Unit thereof; to. have entertained GEBKkRD WIHJJLK JKUNZS, national
Bund leader, and TILLIX: DUDIE^TPRLIEY, national S qI* cUvo ^m^ leader, during
visits of such individuals to Spokane; and to have made many pro-Nazi st*toiixnt~ 0
The SCHLOLER investigation was discontirr.^. in August, 194-2, due to the induction
of such Individual into the United States Arrny as a lieutenant.

[

"1 an informant in the SCILLOMER case, advised Special Agent

■J , , -1 ^ , ^ j_i L X1_ _ J_i "U J. 4- ~ „ V « A n-rmr,

WILLIAM V. SNAFTNER on August 27, 1942, that the three subjects of this inves-
tigation had associated with SCELOMER and that he believed they shared his views
although he had no specific information thereon.

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at spoifoflK * iumaBflsyj r ;

APPROVED
FOR WAR

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was reinterviewed by reporting agent at his residence,

DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES

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/ COPIES OF TH IS REPORT JflrtU

COPIES QF THIS R

Bureau r WT*
1- ^Seattle " "

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1- ONI Seattle

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^ 'ember 4> 1942* He stated that he had been well

acquainted with CARt^,Nip4i who is employed at the Spokane Emergency Hospital,
He stated that CARL GKMELL had formerly been one of the students taking SCHLOMER f s
German language course at Gonzaga University and that the dissertation prepared
by CARL for his Bachelor's Degree was on the subject of German Poetiy* This
individual, whose full name is CARL D. QklTIIEIL, is, according to the Spokane
City Directory, married to LUCILLE K^iCMTSSiL and is employed as a hospital steward
and resides at West 1921 8th Avenue, Spokane*

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| gave the following description of this individual:

Age 34 years

Height 5 1 7"

'Weight 145 pounds

Build Slight

Hair Curly, light brown

Complexion Medium

Occupation Hospital steward- presently

medical student

The wife of this informant was present during the interview and asked
if she might advise agent of one fact which she did not have in mind at the time
she was interviewed concerning the SCHLOMER case* She then stated that on one
occasion she had said to Dr» SCHLO^SR, n How can you teach students about America
when you ?re in favor of Germany? 1 ' to which Dr* SCHLOMER answered, f *I do net
teach students in favor of Germany* 1 tell them the facts and let them make
their own conclusions."

ALFRED F. CANWEEL, according to Informant I I is a brother of the

last-named subject and is an amateur photographer and an enthusiastic golfer*
While in attendance at Gonzaga University, he took v arious c ourses from Dr* b7D
SCHLOMER and appeared to be very friendly with him* | | has no information

as to the Nationalistic sympathies of this individual. He stated that at one time
Dr. SCHLOMER had told him that AL CAWWELL has three sets of license plates for
his car and that his reason for having them was that if he should be pursued,
he could change license plates*

According to the Spokane City Directoiy, ALFRED F. CAEWELL resides at
East 123 12th Avenue, Spokane, Washington* He is described by informant as:

Age 37 years

Height 5'10«

Weight 150 pounds

Build Slim

Hair Light brown

Mustache Yes

Marital status Married*

-a-

JOHN M. CAMELL, according to the same informant, is a brother of the
other two subjects, is older than either of them, and probably was never one of
Dr. SCHLOMER's students* However, acc ording t o the informant, this individual

was also veiy friendly with SCHLOMEK. | | stated that there were two other

brothers in the family whose names were JOSEPHICANWELL and CIAUDEI CAHWELL*

| j advised agent that one other item had come to his mind concerning Dr«

SCHLOMER since he had been interviewed on such case by Special Agent WILLIAM V*
SHAFTNER in August, 1942* This was that he (the Infonnant) and SCHLOMER had at
one time, after December 7, 1941 3 had a conversation regarding the cooperation
then existing between Germany and Japan, and SCKLOMER had stated that Germany
was, of course, glad to use all the help which it could obtain from Japan but
that after the war, Germany would not give much consideration to the Japanese.

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furnished the following description for JOHN M. CANWELL who,

incidentally, is listed in the Spokane City Directory as a laboratory technician
residing at East 123 12th Street, Spokane:

Age 40 years

Height 6«1«

Tfeight 165 pounds

Build Slim

Hair Brown

Marital status Married

Disposition Sour #

Confidential Informant T41 advised that for a|num^gr of years past she
has been well acquainted with JANE (MARSHALL and MRCM*M(rfi^ALL and that both
of these young ladies had been possessed of large jterames in their own names*
She advised that she became acquainted with ALFRTO"^ inasmuch as he had

become the boyfriend and later the husband of Miss MARCINA MARSHALL and that at
about the same time she had become acquainted with JOHN CANVS/ELL,who subsequently
tmarried Miss JA^TE MARSHALL* She stated that these two CANWELL brothers were
^inclined to become enthusiastic supporters of unusual ideas and that at one time
■the two of them had associated themselves prominently with the Jehovah 1 s Witnesses
Jorganization; that at another time they had become connected with the Seventh Day
Adventist organization* Shortly before December 7, 1941* the informant had
visited the residence of ALFRED CAOTELL, who was then listening to a short-wave
radio broadcast from Germany* On this occasion, this subject made the remarkj
"These aire the broadcasts you should listen to. Germany is the only countiy you
can believe* 1 * On another occasion, MARCINA, who is identified as Mrs* ALFRED F.
\CANWELL, stated to the informant, "AL won't have to go to war because he is going
%o put his brother through Medical School and his brother won't have to go because
he will be a Medical student." MARCINA, according to the informant, seemed highly

-3-

pleased with this arrangement and thought it was a very neat scheme to keep the
two brothers exempt from Selective Service. The informant furnished the further
information that ALFRED F. CAHWELL is a professional photographer and that a
few months prior to the end of the interview he had been appointed a full-time
deputy sheriff at Spokane, Washington. She furnished the additional information
that JOHN M. CANWELL, who married Miss JANE MARSHAL L, is presently attending a
university at St. Louis, Missouri, *"""

-CLOSED-

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT

Spokane, Washington.

-5-

OFFICE MSnicA^UlvI - UNITED STATES GOVER'IME ' T

TO : The Director DATS: April 8, 19h7

FROM : D. M. Ladd

SUBJKCT: State of Yteshington

Un-American Activities Committee
Jam/veil, Chairman

uAp Maynor of the Seattle Office has recer:tly 'advised concerning
the information of the captioned committee and has also reported
that Al Canwell, Chairman of the committee, will possibly call
at the Bureau in the near future ♦

In vietr of the nature of this committee *and Canwell's contemplated
visit, available information concerning the committee and its
chairman are bein" set out in a memorandum attached.

Attachment
AFLtPES

61ATO23 1947

" 7-. " *BOORDBr-

i*Af» OO 1QA7 ■ 1--2 V i«"alW»«Ww7

DECLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY DERIVED FROM:
FBI AUTOMATIC DECLASSIFICATION GUIDE
DATE 11-05-2009

iprtl $, Ukt

M1M0UIH M

mst wsmurm ncT-nmm
oommrm or us-americas ummim
stati of ifASHmoTos

A resolution was introduced before the Washington Stat* Boom of
SeptrcMBtativM on February 26, 1«!»7| by loiureaentative AX Canwell, Spokane,
Washington, and Representative Sidney Staves*, Seattle, Washington, far the
foraation of a Joint Legislative Ceaaittee which will inveatigate facta
eoneerniag individuals end organisation* aheee activities indicate a purpose
to preset* internal etrife, to infiltrata Aaorican inatituUene, and to im-
pede tha noraa! progress of the State and tteiea. This ntoIoUo& cited a
atatoaent by Mr. Hoover, pointing out tha seriousness of toe Nation's problem
with regard to the Coaaanlst influence.

. ^his bill wee paaaad on torch 7, 1&7, in tha Washington Stat*
Beuee of Representatives with eight dissenting votes. Al Canwell, Chairman
of tola Ceaaittee, which ia to be composed of three asabers of tha State
Senate and four asabers of the State House of Representativea, recently
called on Special Agent in Charge H. 0. Mayner in Seattle to mate hiaaelf
known and to advice of the GoBaittce*s intended aetivitiea. He stated that
tha Ceaadttee intends to proceed slowly end will aroid making press releases
regarding Coasntnist aetivittee without definite proof. Be said that the in*
veetlgations of the Ceaaittee will not be a *witch hunt". Canwall said that
tha chief concern of the Genalttee weald be the investigatioa of allegationa
that e * rt f in ot Shiversity of Washington! faculty are Coanunista

or Coaaenict syapathiaers. He noted that the Legislature eould take action
in this field as it haa soae control over the University's funds. Canwall
fttrther advised that his Ceaaittee would not be interested in bona fide labor
activities, but w>uld seek to identify and make knoaa GosBsnists who might
be associated with labor groups.

Canwell inquired at the Seattle Office if he night obtain infer*
aation from the files of the Bureau and was, of courae, adrised of the con-
fidential nature of the inforaation contained therein. He stated that he
realised each was the case and had made the inquiry as a routine matter.
He thereafter offered to furniah to the Bureau information which he felt
aight be of interest, and he was advised that if it eaaa to tha attention
of the Buxvau that the activities of his Ceaaittee were conflicting with the
- E-tny eatigative activities of the Bureau, he would be advised. Canwell spool-
finally stated that he did not want the activities of his Comnittee to

Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. "
Mr. Clegg_
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd ~

Mr. Nichols / / . L \j

Mr. Rosen vL-'V^i ^

Mr. 'i'racy ~ ' " "

£: £ T AFLorton :FES J

Mr.

lir. :-.&rbo

Mr. Kendon

Mr. Pennlngton _
Mr. Quinn Tamm %
Tele. Roo m

jassitah m DECLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY DERIVED FROM:

Kiss Gandv

_ZZZZH FBI AUTOMATIC I- E C L AS SI F I C A T I OUT? 5GUID E

DATE 11-05-2009 ' ' /

interfere is any way sitb aattare «t iatareet to the Bareaa. Mr. Ma/nor
etated that be vaa lapreeeel with Cenaell'e eiaaarity ftela that if
the Oeaaitta* pro— d» on the teds outlined the eerie ef the Coaeittee
will te ef reel benefit to the Stat* ef HaaMagtae*

la tli* near fatare anl plana te stop^atftte Boreas* the office of tte
Attorney General, and the Beaaa Oa-AnerieaK Aetivitlee Coaatittee for any
•nggeetieaa nhieh night be of benefit to bia Conadttee.

ALTO0 ?« GAIWBL&

alfrod F.ffattoall m bora January Hi iw, la Spokano, laaa-
iagfoa. Ha gruduutoiifro« high school aad attoadod Speaaao Jaalor Collago
and Qonaaga BniYoroity, oharo ho naa rogardad « suparior stadoat, tot did
not obtain a dogros. froa Iftf to l©4l ho an* ongagod is too aonopapor
buo^., pifclia^ hi. om ooakly aonopapor at XddM, *aoo4agtoa7froa

? 37 L. S B "*ii? i8 * ****** DoFaty- Shoriff for

Spokano County froa 1**2 natll hi» oloetioa to tho Washington Stat* Bouse
of loprooontatisna. So i» praaantly a aoafeor of tha Stata legislators aad
GhoirMtt of tho nooly-foiaod Joist Coontittoo on %-daorieon Aotisitios.

Bational Agodgg AppUcaUon (10^9*52)

„ „ A **• a g**? l# c * BBt y a » rtjff, « <*»«* «PPUod for paradasion to sons
CoaooU^to tho national Aeodoay in January, I9k$. Xnrootigatlon roflootod
# Iv M * oaployorn, Ms oarront oapleyor and oovoral Agonto

of too Buroau rooo a a t ondod hia rory hlfiolT. Tnfowotioa contained la too
Boroau file* reflected that one hod alleged in Jannarv ioh*
that (top and Ida Wo bretlsJrierelu^^
to eonneetion with too Rational Acadeay investigation reflected that
una a mental eaao and could not support hie allegations*

Information w also asuilable ia tho filoo that a lro. W. A.
Sastaaa, Jr., has otatod that Caneell was pre-4eman aad a aoaber of tho
Jehovah* e Witnesses. Upon reinterriew during tho Motional Aeadoay iarooti-
gatien of Csawell, Mro. gastaaa rotraetod thooo otatoaoato.

1a , . . . to ooaaidoriag tho national Aeadoay application oa Boeenber 13,
9 TtL^* E3aKmtiv * c «af««wo otatod that any allegations of an-Aaorieaa
!! I 6 !? 3 ** V""* 1 di«proved. On tho othor hand, it nan

dooidod that Camrall appeared to bo a weak applicant ia that ho oooaodV
onpportor of aaaooal idoao or "fads* aad oao not sdaeuataW «t*hi« t* ...
dooid^t elthough it would bo ^^CmSTT^JSS^^ 3'
hi. fuperior, wanted to insist « hi. attondiag tho t£^TSft£SiL
Agoat in Charge bo instructed to aako a dl^eet offort t7^otC»U^
jnjporioro to sond aaothor eon. Tho Spokane County Sheriff, unenlsiTisse of
too situation, requested a lottor froa tho Bureaa stating why CanewllTas
not aoooptjd. Ho oylainod that CannoU m. a n^pabUoon and that ho, tho
Shorif^imo a Doaoerat aad that thoroforo CaawoU aight think tho Shlriff
m» laoponaiblo. So lottor oao fayaiohod* tho Shoriff did not ooloet an
altoroato ^pplioant duo to tho liaitod tiao availabio, bat thara has boon
no indication of ill fooling a. a woalt of tho doolination of thi. appli-

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3

fha filaa iadiaata that CanaaU baa baaa flriandly with Sp«*ial
J«aata Buaaall Bwrataia, Saaaal 9* Saith aad Brantta? P. ChappaU* all
ftaaar Haaidant Aganta at Spofama Washington, ga *pp*r«ntly alvayv baa
toaan and atill is T«ry fclanaly ta ths Boraaa.

(1-3296)

jfc&mtl Sumo* ni foxMzti$atian
UntUh &tot?fi Bejmrtttumt of Kuatti

Seattle, Washington

DECLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY DERIVED FROM:
FBI AUTOMATIC DECLASSIFICATION GUIDE
DATE 11-05-2009

June 7, 1947

PERSONAL AND CO]

Director, FBI

Dear Sir;

AL

RE:

WASHINGTON STATE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
ALBERT fPcANWELL - CHAIRMAN •

Mr. QuinnTmnW-
Mr. Neas e

On the afternoon of June 4. 19^7 T MR. /\ ^gffi^ y n CANWELL f Chair man.
W ashingto n StatyiM-Aii^rican Activities Commi ttee, accompanied by MR, WILLIAM
HOUSTON, former^ Chief rnvestigator f Civil Service Commission. Seattl e.
Washington, personally c alled a ,t this office in connect ion with another
matter and during the conversation brought up the q nftj«rrh nf nh-h^i^jpg
personnel for the above-captioned c ommittee • During the general conversation
1 had with the aforementioned individuals M R. CANWELL mentioned that Specia l
Agent TONY RE EDER was in Seattle within the past, tan days and was presently
i n the process of commurd ? frt-jrig miih Bureau in t*ap;«t>h to accepting
p osition with the abov e-cap tioned committee* MR, C ANWELL also advised that
STAN LEITH. who is presently employed by Boeing Aircraft Corporation. Seatt le ,
W ashington, as Assista nt Chi ef of Plant Protection Di vision , would also .he-
come a nignber of his staff i n the near future^ For the information of the
Bureau, W ILLlM" HOUSTON was f orm erly in charge of the Investigativ e Section
of the Ci vil S ervice jommissipn, Seatt le » Washington , and in that capacity
has f urnished considerable information to this office concerning cases in
wh ich w e had an i nterest . The Ufa-Amer lean Acti v jjAlfiaJioitmri t tea m i n t.a in s
^^l^^^g^^gMgSe^ a^J^Sm JJ A» -. N r w flrmo ryJfoul di ng, ^ Q 3 , ii a rii a mJ&Eflat,
Seattle, Wa shington, telephone Alder 2857» . , ^.^^~~^^ ymmr

The above is being furnished for information purposes ♦

Very truly yours,

HGM:Mfg

DECLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY DERIVED FROM;
FBI AUTOMATIC DECLASSIFICATION GUIDE
DATE 11-05-2009

May 10, 2MB

mumjtsBuu rw m*. tamm

M. TQISOM
W. SflCSOLS

-83

o* May 6th Mr* jdF%mmU f Chair ma of th*

tot* of wa*hi*gt*» m**mr$Md0%i*ttu» omttt**,

e«U«4 *<» ««» •§ i«e«v«(il fry ifr. £•»•*•*. f»#
W« Aod &»«n »<t« tAroupA Coagrooomon Baron.

Mr, Cmmmmll *tmt*d **•* At* ffmiiln (*t«nd»d
•Aftrftly to iAfufr* tut* C#ap$»af«* |» th* »orf»*» *cao«2«
and nKairiHdi »a# £*«*« */» *«•*<«?*«« and m* mould
lih* «• bo obi* #• contoct Mr S*mttl* Offte* mad obtain
from th*m wMea af?A* fttf u«*d «« J*ad«

*« *ntt ?«mltt«# fa woa an taoootigation.

J fid Mr, Common that J, «/ oomr**, hm*m

«*u*rolltt of th* mr* of his C*mmttt*o, mod that a&partAtJy
• and a l* «*««ef«t*« *od *rf«tf *# A^rcaaa tAdir
*Atf««tlgatieA« tm m *bj*otio* m—*r mad that thio ma*
gratifying. I told him Mat th* ftl** of tbio Buroam
m*r* c*afid*attal but that J mould got im tomeh with ffr m
wtloom, th* Agoat in Charg* of th* Somttl* Offto* t *o
that h* 0 Mr. CmmU, might talk with Mr* Wilcox mhoa h*
r*turm*4 to Saattl* mad if th*r* mm* aajf taf*ruatioa tm
our ftloo of public rooord mad mhtoh did mot fall mithim
omr apootfi* Jmri*di*tiom mad oauld therofor* b* u**4
m* I—Ma am hi* Commit*** I mould omdmmmor t* mrrmag* to
hmoo omoh maUriml mad* amilahl* to htm *om*t*t*at g <
•/ eomr**, mtth public tat*r**t*» \

Jf mm** *mll*d Mr m 9 1 loom mad ham* mdviood htm
of thio oomo*r*mttoa m

r*rg truly your*,

. Tolson

. E. A. Tem~

. Clegs ~

. Glavln

. Ladd

. Nich ol s
. Rose n ~
* Trac y~ "
. Sea n
. Gurne a
. Harbo ~
. irohr
- PennlngtoJ
> Qulnn Tai
Le. Room_
Nease

JSWtSS

i2MAY181348 v

THIS *WSP'^
DATE S~-/V f>
BY

i/ohm Sdgar Soovor
Dtroctor

FORM NO. 64

Oj^c^ Nlemorandufn • united states government

j^t^^ /%T DATE: 5-6-48

TO : Mr. Nichols)' / ^ UAA * : SlSUi 1 ^

FROM : M. A. ^^0^

SUBJECT: kLJ^JXWELL, CHAIRMAN, STATE OF WASHINGTON UN-AMERICAN

Clegg

Mr. Glavin

Mr. Ladd

Mr. Nichols"^
Mr. Rosen "

Mr. Tracy

Mr. Carson

Mr. Egan_

Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo

ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE E: SSS

Mr. Penning ton_
Mr. Qulnn Tamn_

Tele. Room

Mr. Nease

Miss Beah m
Miss dandy

Canwell was born January 11, 1907, in Spokane, Washington. He
attended Spokane Junior College and Gonzaga Uhiversity, where he was regarded
as a superior student but did not attain a degree. From 1932 to 1941, he was
engaged in the newspaper business, part of that time publishing his own weekly
newspaper in Yakima. He was a Deputy Sheriff in Spokane County from 1942 until
his election to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1946. In 1944
and 1945, while he was Deputy Sheriff, his superior recommended him for attend-
ance at the National Academy, and he was highly recommended by Special Agent
Russell Eberstein and other Agents who knew him well and by the SAC at Seattle.
The investigation of him was favorable with the exception that in 1943 he had
been reported as pro-German and a member of the Jehovah's Witness sect. In-
vestigations of these allegations have been negative, but the Executive Conference
in the Bureau on December 13, 1944, decided that although all derogatory allega-
tions against Canwell had been disproved, he appeared to be a weak candidate
because he seemed to be a supporter of unusual ideas or tt fads, w and it was
recommended that the SAC at Seattle discreetly attempt to get the Sheriff to
name another candidate. This was done apparently without offending either the
Sheriff or Canwell, and before Canwell 1 s name could come up again as a possible
candidate for the National Academy he was elected to the Washington State
Legislature.

On February 26, 1947, Canwell introduced a resolution before the State
House of Representatives for the formation of an Un-American Activities Committee.
The bill forming the committee was passed on March 7, 1947, and Canwell was made
1 Chairman.

/

X

On April 7, 1947, Canwell called at the Bureau, hoping to see the [/
Director and also the Attorney General, While here, he talked to Special Agent
J. C. Strickland, offering his cooperation and saying that he hoped to receive
the cooperation of the Bureau. Since he became Chairman of this Committee,
Canwell has been in contact with the Seattle Office a few times discussing with
them the need for personnel for his committee and the general problems of sub-
versive activities. His attitude toward the Bureau has always sewed very good f
and information in the Bureau files indicates that he has done well as Chairman

of th. ; ; :CORD£0 .a\^ i Jjlh.^^-f

His Committee received nationwide publicity Febffllry, J948, following
the testimony that it took^frpm Har^y Bridges'' wifejQ M^y ]Bf iftggs told the Can-
well Conmittee that her former husbandm** been a card-carrying member of the
Communist Party threatened her life if she exposed him. ThiSj testimony

made headlines for the Canwell Committee all over toe,.j»ttaiiw ...Die.vjMreau secured
la transcript of the testimony. (100-181638; 1-2452; 1-3296; 100-3-20-656;

,\ | 39-915-2617)

HDS:ecb

' "TV T? P T ?. C? Of T X? T P 7, T T ClXX ?« TTTUfl Ti T TV T:X! TiTTTVT; H?Tinif-

DECLASSIFICATIOM AUTHORITY DERIVED FROM:
FBI AUTOMATIC DECLASSIFICATION GUIDE
DATE 11-05-2009

DeLoach

DECLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY DERIVED FROM:
FBI AUTOMATIC I- E C LAS S I F I CAT I OH GUIDE
DATE 11-05-2003

September 18, 1962

- /*<■'■■ - *

m

CD

i:

H

nr

o

o

an

„ ^€ Mr. Walte)&rreenaway
W Tonaiggg^^gon

Dear Mr. Greenaway:

Tour letter of September 11th, with enclosure,
has been received.

With respect to your inquiry, the FBI is strictly
an investigative agency of the Federal Government and neither
makes evaluations nor recommendations concerning any organ-
ization, publication or individual. Also, information in our files
is maintained as confidential in accordance with regulations of
the Department of Justice. Please do not infer either that we do
or do not have data in our files relating to your inquiry. In view

««f the foregoing, I hope you will understand why I am unable to

(Comftgnt as you requested.

Enclosed is some material which I trust will be
invest to you.

Sincerely yours,

John Edgar Hoover
Director

sures (4)

It Be Law or Tyranny?

it on Communism 7-15-£2,

* Expfce of Soviet Espionage

Evans

Mai one

Rosen i

Sullivan

Tnvpl KJ

Trotter

Tele. Room .

Holmes

Gandy

filEr*>2 8 1962

m

MAIL ROOM

TELETYPE UNIT

:.'J(»

□

»te next page.

y

Mr. Walter Greenaway

NOTE: Correspondent is not identifiable in Bufiles. The enclosure
sets forth in question and answer form an interview with Al Canwell
who discusses the American Civil Liberties Union and sets forth
derogatory information relating to Mr. John Goldmark and his wife,
Mrs. Sally Goldmark, aka Irma Ringe.

Bufiles indicate Canwell has a contacted the Bureau in
the past. He has been described as being/somewhat flighty opportunist
with whom we have guarded relations. The Director wrote a
memorandum indicating that Canwell called him on 5-6-48 and
inquired about communism. Canwell was advised he should contact
the Special Agent in Charge of our Seattle Office to get any public
source information available. In 1944-45, he was highly recommended
as a National Academy applicant. Our investigation was favorable
with the exception that in 1943 it was stated he was pro-German and a
member of Jehovah's Witnesses. Our investigation did not substantiate
this, but we requested that another applicant be recommended. It was
noted he was a member of the Washington State Legislature in 1947.

- 2 -

TRUE COPY

To nasket Wash.
Sept 11, 1962

J. Edgar Hoover
Washington D, C.

Dear Sir:

I recently received the enclosed pamphlet
in the mail. I would like your opinion of the American
Civil Liberties Union mentioned in the pamphlet. And
also if Mr. Canwell is qualified to give the statements
enclosed

Truly yours

DECLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY DERIVED FROM:

fei automatic declassification guide / / Walter Qreenaway

■ATE 11-05-2009 ' °' «.j ^ ^ ^ ^

9*

REC- 52 A'Q^JjL/Ai? - j
10 * ^

3 or.

/> ' f // "u

Vol. I, No. 2.

American Intelligence ^srvice

A. f/cUnwELL, Director
W. 61f Sprague "'"Ave^^ w ^™ ' , ^8pokane f Washington

August, 1962

AN INTERVIEW WITH AL CANWELL

Question - "What are you presently doing Mr. Canwell?"
Mr. Canwell - "I operate a non-governmental intelligence
service, specializing in security information."

Question - "Did you undertake this activity with prior ex-
perience In a governmental capacity?"
Mr. Canwell - "I have been in various phases of professional
investigations for many, many years. My governmental
activity in this direction had to do with directing the Un-
American Activities Committee of the Washington State
legislature."

Question - "As a consequence of your work and investigative
activities in this capacity, did you have an occasion to
investigate Communist front organizations?"
Mr. Canwell - "Yes, we investigated a great many Communist
fronts. In investigating the Communist apparatus you must'
investigate the fronts because they are a principal way by
which the Party extends its activity. One of the majori
activities of the Communists is propaganda and this is spread
chiefly through fronts."

Question - Can you tell me anything about the American,
Civil Liberties Union ?"

Mr. Canwell - "The American Civil Liberties Union is in my
judgement one of the most effective Communist fronts in
America. "

Question - "On what do you base this judgement?"
Mr. Canwell - "it was organized in 1920. The founder of the
American Civil Liberties Union was Roger Baldwin, whom
the House Un-American Activities Committee and the
Senate Internal Sub-Committee have listed as belonging to
more than one hundred (100) Communist fronts. For most
of the history of the American Civil Liberties Union, he was
its active head. He is merely representative of many, many
such personalities identified with the American Civil
Liberties Union. Its activities have been largely on behalf of
Communists and Communist causes, particularly when Com-
munists are in trouble with the courts, or with legislative*
committees."

Question - Could you give me any information about the
Washington State Chapter of the American Civil Liberties
Union?"

Mr. Canwell - "The Washington State Chapter is one of the
most effective units of the American Civil Liberties Unfon
because it has some of the ablest left-wing lawyers in the/
country on its board. There are men who are on many of
the major Communist fronts, who also are officers on the
National American Civil Liberties Union and on the State
Civil Liberties Union."

Question - "Could you tell me what the position of the
Washington State Chapter of the ACLU is in regards to the
McCarran Act which requires Communists to register?"
Mr. Canwell - "The position of the Washington state chapter
membership has been identical with that of the Communist
Party. They want to eliminate the McCarran Act. They havei
been traditionally opposed to all a nti- Communist legislation,
and have opposed all legislation to protect us against the

/

'30

Communist conspiracy. They have always taken the position
of defending the Communist Party."

Question - Mr. Canwell, upon examining a copy of the letter-
head of the Washington State Chapter of the ACLU, I see
the name of John Goldmark, who happens to be the Wash-
ington State Representative for the First Legislative dis-
trict from Okanogan and Douglas counties. In the course of
your investigations, did you run across Mr. Goldmark and
his history of activities?"

Mr. Canwell - "Let me say that I have had a great interest
in Mr. Goldmark. He is a brilliant young lawyer, a graduate
of Harvard law school, a nephew of Justice Brandeis of the
Supreme Court. A man with his legal training and back-
ground and family connections could probably obtain a job
in almost any law office in Amercia, yet he is in the State
of Washington doing anything but practicing law, and
coupled with the fact that he has usually taken an extreme
left position in his legislative activities, I have been inter-
ested in the man."

Question - "Mr. Canwell, what can you tell me about Mr.
Goldmark' s family? Is he married, and if so, to whom?"
Mr. Canwell - "Yes, Mr. Goldmark is married to Saily Gold-
mark. At least that's the name she goes by now. In my
acquaintance with her background, she was known as Irma
Ringe, and I came to know a great deal about Irma Ringe
before I knew anything about John Goldmark."
I had investigated the activities of Alger Hiss and many*
people in the higher levels of Government who had betrayed
this Government through their activity in the Communist
party. And during that time, I became quite familiar with
the Harold Ware cell in Washington, and the various people
connected with it. Whittaker Chambers, whom I came to
know well, and Elizabeth Bentley, Nathaniel Weyl, the
man who wrote "Red Star Over Cuba",, were members of
this Communist spy cell in Washington. They were organized
by Harold Ware, a top Soviet Agent, and the people in such
a cell were Soviet Agents,, and were exposed and revealed to
be Soviet Agents engaged in acts of espionage. Men like
Gregory Silvermaster, Hiss, Bentley, Chambers, Perlo and
Kramer. In the early fifties the research director of thp
House Un-American Activities committee asked me to look
into the case of Irma Ringe who had been a member of the
second highest Communist cell in Washington - one of those
organized by Harold Ware, and in this cell were Victor
Perlo, and Charles Kramer an espionage agent. And Irma
Ringe had been a member of this group.
To answer your question, I found that she was living in the
state of Washington and she was married to John Goldmark;
and that John Goldmark was a member of the Washington
state legislature.

In investigating her oase, I found that it had been very
carefully kept secret. A short time after this, the House
Un-American Activities committee subpoenaed Irma Ringe
to appear before it in Seattle, and at that time she told her
story to the committee. She replied to their questions about
her activities, admitted a former membership in the Com-
munist Party, and an association with Charles Kramer, and

Please Tint Fa«e Over

Victor Perlo and several others in this cf*** She stated that
stte left the Communist Party, and she al; :ated in answer
to questions about the espionage activities of this group that
she knew nothing about that phase of it, that in these meet-
ings with these high level agents that all they did was to sit
aroun)d and talk about philosophical matters. This of course
was very disappointing to the committee of Congress because
they felt that she would be ablle to reveal a great deal of
information and throw light on things they didn't know, as
Bentley, Chambers, Weyl, and others had: done. They were
very disappointed that she was unable to give them any
information other than that the group discussed philosophical
matters."

Question - "This same Irma Ringe who has been identified,
and who admitted that she was a member of this cell at
this time is the same woman who is now Sally Goldmark?"

Mr. Canwell - "Yes, she is one and the same person, I might
add too, that she says she left the Communist Party, and I
would accept that in the light that it is given if her activity
were such as to indicate a clean break with the party. Now,
in my experience with ex-Communists, they are willing
usually to give a great deal of information to the Govern-
ment. Then in addition to* that, to make up for the treachery'
against their Government, they feel obligated to take part
in opposing Communism. By opposing it, I mean opposing the
current Party line. '

I can illustrate Irma Hinge's attitude very well on the matter
of the film "Operation Abolition." A chief target of the
Communist Party in the United States the last several years/
has been the House Un-American Activities committee, and
an official report of that Committee known as "Operation
Abolition".

Now it would seem to me that anyone who had been inside
the Communist apparatus would know how important to the
security of America and to the freedom of the world the
operation of this Committee is. He or she would want to do
everything in the world possible, it would seem to me fi to
help the Government of the United States through its Con-
gress to combat and counteract Communism and Com-
munists. That just seems to be the reasonable thing to me. So
when 1 find a person such as Sally Goldmark who has been*
in the Communist Party on a very high level, and who has
been treated exceedingly fairly by the House Un-American
Activities Committee and by that I should state it held its
hearing on Mrs. Goldmark in executive session and did not
make public the minutes of that meeting or the transcript of
the testimony. It was a very fair thing to Irma Ringe. And
still, in spite of that, she has been very much opposed to the
showing of the film "Operation Abolition", which is a report
of the House Un-American Activities committee. Such a
thing just seems inconsistent to me. I have no way of read-
ing her mind, but I know that if 1 had been in the Communist
Party, and I saw the light, I would then bend all of my
efforts to opposing the Party and would join those who are
opposing it and I would not be opposed to the House Un-
American Activities Committee. I would not be opposed to
people who are giving their lives and their energies to aci-
complishing security for this country and for the world. So
I find her activity an enigma. I only wish that she could see
Communism in the same light as Elizabeth Bentley, and
Whittaker Chambers and others who were in the same

Soviet spy apparatus, b«t who did so much for this cojuntry
in revealing what the; ew."

Question - "Mr. Canwell could you tell me when Irma Ringe
married John Goldmark, and became Sally Goldmark?"
Mr. Canwell - "It was in 1942. They were married in Wash-
ington, D. C, and then he was called to active duty by ttie
Naval Reserve, and he served until 1943. After that they
came out to Washington and he worked for an apple rancher
down in White Salmon, which is the first place that I
picked up their trail in Washington state. They then came to
the Okanogan and suddenly became cattle ranchers."
Question - "When did Mrs. Goldmark indicate that she had
broken with the Communist Party?"

Mr. Canwell- "I believe, now again I'm speaking without my
record or notes in hand, but I believe she testified that it was?
in 1943 or '49 that she broke with the party, but I could be
mistaken on that. I would wish to check my records. She
did state when she broke with the party f) and 1 believe she
said it was when she came to the state of Washington or
right after she came to the state of Washington; or it might
have been earlier."

Question - "In drawing this to a close would you have any
observations, Mr. Canwell, about the present state or con-
dition of our internal and national security as a consequence
of the Communist threat or infiltration? Is this threat just
a thing of the past or something we need be concerned with
at the present?'-'

Mr. Canwell - "It is my considered opinion, based on nearly
twenty-five (25) years of experience in this field, that we 1
are in the most critical situation in our .history. We have
one enemy the global Communist Party with its world wide
apparatus which is working everywhere and we are being
told by people who know better there is no internal threat
in America. That is a dishonest assertion. It is a dangerous
one. The Communist threat is world wide. Ifs both without
and within. It's like an octopus the heart or the center
may be in Moscow, but the tentacles are everywhere.
Joseph Kornfeder who was one of the highest Communists
in America at one time and the only American to serve on
the Comintern, said recently we should not be misled by
the fact that there are assuredly between five and ten
thousand known members of the Communist Party in the
United States at the present moment. He said the Com-
munist party would have a great many more members now
if it wanted them. This cadre membership is what is con-
venient to the task that they have at hand. Hie said this
five to ten thousand Communists represents as many pro-
fessional organizers. They're hard core, disciplined Com-
munists who are going to go all the way. The weaklings
have been weeded out. These people are professionals; they're
dangerous; they're out to kill us. Actually, to get an idea of
how effective this number is for the Communist Party,
imagine what we would give for five thousand professional
organizers behind the Iron Curtain.

One can not overestimate the danger. These agents are
everywhere. They are in key positions. They are in the
ministry of the churches. They are in our educational system.
They are in the scientific fieLds. They are at the highest
levels of government.

Only a knave or a fool would underestimate the danger.. It
has never been greater."

A.

V

r#t9nwell v
Sneaker On Red
Threat Within U.S.

Albe rt ^ F.pCanwell Re-
search b'rectQr of Ameri c a n'
Intelligence Service, Will: ad-
dress a public meeting in Day-
ton on Wednesday, February
16, at 8 :00 P.M. in Wampler's
Red Barn.

Al Canwell is one of the
most noted authorities on the
internal threat of Commu-
nism in America today. He
served as Chairman of trie j
Washington State Committee
on Un-American Activities —
in which position he was the
first person to publicly expose
the connections of Alger Hiss.

In addition to his activities
at the state level, he has
served as Chief of the Identi-
fication Bureau in Spokane's
Sheriffs Department and
served on special assignment
in Europe under Scott Mc-
Leod of the State Depart-
ment; His extensive investi-
gative background ha$ been
utilized in cooperation with
Jthe F.B.L in exposing Rus-
sian activities during the
Forties.

Title of his speech here is
"Internal Subversion." \ The
lecture, sponsored by Day-
ton's Open Forum of Ameri-
can Opinion, is designed to
create better understanding
of current issues. The meet-
ing is open to the public, and
tickets will be Available at

Jr.

Mr. Ca!
Mr. Onra
Mr. Felt
Mr. </:..; »
Mr. R v ?n
Mr, .van:
Mr. Tavel .

Mr. Trotte^

Tele. Room .

NOT RF HORDED
191 im 2 1986

B UTL1R COUNTY AMERICAN
Butler, Ohio
February 12, 1966
Page 1